Page 30 of Wallflower Witch
Matt flashes me a grin, squeezing my shoulder.
“Josh grabbed a blanket from his backpack, and we brought you in here. I guess you decided to start the camp-out early.”
“Something like that.” I chuckle ruefully. I nod my thanks as Josh hands me a bottle of water, the refreshing liquid shaking the last bit of malaise away. “Can I help you guys?” I glance at the ghosts, who all seem relieved that I’m all right.
The young boy grabs the hands of the two girls, leading them back up the stairs, while their governess stays behind.
“There are ghosts here still?” Matt asks, then shakes his head. “Of course there are, why am I surprised? Can’t you vultures just leave her alone for a few minutes? She’s had enough of your kind right now.”
She ignores him, staring at me. “I hope you were able to find some answers while you were asleep. Until your power stabilizes, dream state is where you will be most powerful.”
She turns, pausing at the doorway to glance back over her shoulder at us.
“You and your mates are free to make yourselves at home here. We don’t usually have any other visitors, but your best chance of avoiding roaming spirits will be in the study. The original O’Byrne wards are still up around that room, so none of us can cross the threshold. Do try to get some rest. You’ll need all your strength for the coming days.”
With that final declaration she leaves, and I slump into Patrick, happy to snuggle into his broad cheat.
“Boy, do I have a lot to catch you all up on.”
After moving all our items to the study, we make our way outside to make a small fire and cook some food. I also use the time to share everything the governess told me. To say the guys were stunned by all the new information would be an understatement. When I finish, we sit in silence for a few minutes, staring at one another.
“So what’s the plan?” asks Matt. “Do we stay and try to defeat the curse, or do we walk away and pretend nothing up here ever happened?” He’s picking apart dinner as he speaks, holding them out for Quoth to take. “No attacking me cause you’re hungry, okay buddy?” He whispers.
“What do all of you think?” I ask. “My mind is spinning with reasons for both options.”
They look between each other before Josh finally speaks up. “You know I’m always up for an adventure. I say we stay and see what we can do. What’s the worst that can happen? I get sucked into a crypt again?” He laughs darkly, but no one else joins in.
“If this curse has been around for so long,” Patrick starts, “it’s powerful and would be hard to beat. I don’t think it’s worth the risk to you or us to take. I know my family has been tied here for generations, but there has to be someone better qualified to take on this curse. I could talk to my parents and see if we can get the coven involved. I don’t think it has to be you.”
I look at Matt, who is sitting next to me. “I think we are all here for you, no matter what,” he says. “And while we may be in danger, it is you who will be in the most danger. So it is your choice, and I will follow whichever you choose.” He grabs my hand and brushes a gentle kiss across my knuckles.
Josh and Patrick both agree with Matt, promising to follow my lead as they have been, whether I decide to stay or to go.
“So…” prompts Matt. “Can you share what’s going on in that head of yours?”
I nod, twisting my fingers together as I feel my nerves start to get the better of me. “I am honestly stuck in the middle. Yes, so far it seems like something bigger is at work here. The dreams, the ghosts, the pull to come here… How, after all this time, things from Spells Hollow ended up in the archives. It seems like this is fate or destiny or whatever else you want to call it.
“But this curse has been around so long… It can’t be a completely destructive force since some of the ghosts are still here and are avoiding the pull of the crypts. I can’t control my magic. Hell, I can’t even feel my magic most of the time. It seems impossible that I am the best one to break this curse and save this town or coven. Like maybe in a few years, once I’ve had time to practice and to gain control of my powers, maybe then I could come back and see if the curse is still in place or what I could do then.” I push myself off the ground and start pacing back and forth.
“But Nan was so convincing. She said it had to be me. That they are running out of time or something. And my ancestor seems to think I can do it. Why she’d trust me, I don’t know, but it’s nice to know she has faith in me.”
A gentle wind brushes my cheek in a caress that reminds of the one she gave me in the field. I smile softly, cupping my hand to my cheek.
“I can’t promise I’m going to be successful, but I have to try. For myself. For my ancestors. For the poor ghosts who are being tormented in their afterlife instead of getting to move on in peace.” I stop pacing, spinning to face the three men still seated around the fire. Smiles are spread across each face.
“So where do we start?” asks Josh, pulling his food from the fire.
“I have no idea,” I answer, plopping back onto the grass and nudging my food free as well.
“Well, doesn’t one of us know how magic works?” asks Matt, looking at Patrick, who is parting the flames around his lunch to make pulling it out easier.
“I know how mine works,” Patrick answers. “But I’m not high enough in the coven to be tasked with teaching the young ones. I only know how I was taught.”
“Well, that sounds like more than any of the rest of us know,” Josh quips. “So I guess we base whatever we can on your training.”
Patrick chews his food before nodding. “Okay. We can get started training Mor’s magic after we eat.” He cuts his eyes to me, “If you feel up to it.”
I nod again. “Yep. I’m up to it. I have to be.”